The purpose of the Network is to work together to leverage action on the Social Determinants of Health so as to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for all Tasmanians.

17 September 2014

Concern expressed about the abolition of the Tasmanian Early Years Foundation and Tasmanian Community Fund

The SDOHAN Advisory Group determined it appropriate that we
write to the Premier about the recently proposed abolition of the Tasmanian Early Years Foundation and Tasmanian Community Fund Boards. You will find a copy of the letter’s content below.

8th September 2014

The Honourable Will Hodgman

Premier of Tasmania

Tasmanian Government

GPO Box 123

HOBART TAS 7001

Dear Premier

Abolition of Tasmanian Early Years Foundation and Tasmanian
Community Fund

We write to express concern about the planned abolition of
the Tasmanian Early Years Foundation and Tasmanian Community Fund Boards.
Particularly in relation to the Tasmanian Early Years Foundation it appears as
though the Foundation itself will cease to exist. While we understand that the
Tasmanian Community Fund will still exist in some form but with a different
decision-making body, we are concerned that it will not be truly autonomous
from Government decision-making processes. We are writing to seek clarity on
these matters, to ask you what will replace these organisations, and how you
will ensure that the visions and missions of the organisations will not be lost
within the Government system.

Early childhood is a crucial developmental period. Children
who have a good start in life not only have healthier and happier childhoods,
but also enjoy far-reaching beneficial effects in adulthood.

There is significant evidence in Tasmania that many children
do not experience optimal early life conditions (e.g. 16% of children under 15
years live in poverty, 48% of children in Tasmania are in the bottom child
social exclusion quintile, in the last 10 years the number of child protection
notifications involving children under 5 years has more than doubled (NATSEM
2013 and Kids Come First 2013)), and this is why the work of the
Tasmanian Early Years Foundation is so important.

What could be more important than giving every Tasmanian
child the best possible start in life as a foundation for a healthy, happy and
positive future? This is the vision of the Foundation.

The Foundation has provided many opportunities, in
partnership with the Tasmanian community, to support children and their
families, and raise awareness and a commitment to the early years of childhood.
The Foundation has worked collaboratively to maximise the potential of Child
and Family Centres, and much work has been done to support organisations and
workers at the coal-face to develop and implement quality, evidence-informed program
and initiatives.

We would like to express our deep disappointment at the
Government’s proposed abolition of the Tasmanian Early Years Foundation and ask
that you please explain to us why this decision has been made. Is this really
going to save significant amount of money? Surely the health and wellbeing of
our children is more important? And isn’t it vital that we have a prominent
organisation that sits outside of Government to champion the needs of children
in early life?

In respect of the Tasmanian Community Fund Board, again we
wish to express our concern at your announcement of its cessation. Many
organisations depend on the Tasmanian Community Fund to develop programs and
build capacity. We believe it is important that grant programs such as this
should operate at arms-length from Government. Can you please clarify for us on
what basis this decision has been made?

We are also concerned that there appears to have been no
consultation with key stakeholders, or the community at large about these
decisions. As a result of this, we are writing this letter and would greatly
appreciate your response to these matters.

Kind regards

Miriam Herzfeld

Convenor, Social Determinants of Health Advocacy Network

cc.

Hon. Michael Ferguson MP, Minister for Health

Hon. Jacquie Petrusma MP, Minister for Human
Services

Rebecca White MP, Shadow Minister for Health and
Human Services, and Labor Spokesperson for Children

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The Social Determinants of Health Advocacy Network held its inaugural conference in Hobart last November

Visit our website to view and download some of the presentations

Visit: http://sdohtasmania.org.au

.

What are the social determinants of health?

The word social relates to society and means people.

Determinants of health are - broadly speaking - the things that affect your health - either in a positive way (they protect our health and keep us healthy) or a negative way (they make us sick).

If we put these things together - the social determinants of health are things (systems, products, factors) created, shaped and controlled by people that affect our health.

These things include education, housing, employment, transport and so forth. These are created and shaped by people. And because if this it's possible to change them.

As an example, let's look at transport. We - the people - have created our transport systems. Not necessarily you or I personally but as a society we've done this. The problem is that there are many aspects of the system that are not great - many of our streets aren't cycle or pedestrian friendly, if you live in a rural area public transport options are limited, the number of cars on our roads isn't good for the environment and so forth. All of these things about the transport system can affect our health.

But the great thing is that, because we - the people - developed this system in the first place, we have the ability to change it - to make things better and to improve health as a result.

There are other determinants of health - such as our genes - that we can't change. So let's focus on the things we can do to improve health.

More formally, here's how the literature talks about the social determinants of health:

The social determinants of health are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age, including the health system. These circumstances are shaped by the distribution of money, power and resources at global, national and local levels. The social determinants of health are mostly responsible for health inequities - the unfair and avoidable differences in health status seen within and between countries.

Here's a good place to start your reading:

A great publication on the social determinants of health is The Solid Facts.

Vision of the Network

All Tasmanians have the opportunity to live a long, healthy life regardless of their income, education, employment, gender, sexuality, capabilities, cultural background, who they are or where they live.

Membership

Membership of the Network is open to all Tasmanians who share this vision.

Membership is free of charge. Membership means you become a subscriber to our enews and that you get the opportunity to work with others who are part of this Network to undertake advocacy action.

Membership to the Network can be obtained by providing a name, organisation (where there is one but individuals can join as individuals), address, telephone and email address to the Facilitator by email:

socialdeterminantsofhealthtas@gmail.com

The Network currently has more than 220 members across Tasmania (as well as some interstate) from a broad range of sectors.

“The Commission’s main finding is straightforward. The social conditions in which people are born, live, and work are the single most important determinant of good health or ill health, of a long and productive life, or a short and miserable one. ……..This ends the debate decisively. Health care is an important determinant of health. Lifestyles are important determinants of health. ….But, let me emphasize, it is factors in the social environment that determine access to health services and influence lifestyle choices in the first place”.

Dr Margaret Chan, Director General, World Health Organisation.

Tasmanian Action Sheets on the Social Determinants of Health

Visit the Tasmania Council of Social Service website to download 10 action sheets on the social determinants of health in Tasmania.